Ernie Budlowski poses with one of the Con-Way Freight tractor trailers at the trucking company he works for in Bridgeport, Conn. on Wednesday July 2, 2014. Budlowski has won first place in the straight truck division of the Connecticut State Truck Driving Championship. He goes on to compete in a national championship in August.

Ernie Budlowski poses with one of the Con-Way Freight tractor trailers at the trucking company he works for in Bridgeport, Conn. on Wednesday July 2, 2014. Budlowski has won first place in the straight truck division of the Connecticut State Truck Driving Championship. He goes on to compete in a national championship in August.

Ernie Budlowski poses with one of the Con-Way Freight tractor trailers at the trucking company he works for in Bridgeport, Conn. on Wednesday July 2, 2014. Budlowski has won first place in the straight truck division of the Connecticut State Truck Driving Championship. He goes on to compete in a national championship in August.

Ernie Budlowski backs in one of the Con-Way Freight tractor trailers at the trucking company he works for in Bridgeport, Conn. on Wednesday July 2, 2014. Budlowski has won first place in the straight truck division of the Connecticut State Truck Driving Championship. He goes on to compete in a national championship in August.

"Here in Connecticut we had our first competition in 1947," he said. "Historically it used to be a very big deal."

Such a big deal that a caravan used to leave Hartford each year to celebrate the state champs. At least one year, the lieutenant governor participated in the motorcade.

"In today's age we have the drivers' interest but as for the luminaries that used to be interested they have found other things to do," O'Mara said.

The truckers, however, take the competition seriously, making it their mission to keep their driving and safety records clean throughout the year in order to be eligible to participate.

The competition consists of three tests: a written exam; a pre-trip, where they have to identify defects on a truck; and the timed driving portion.

"These guys they do take it seriously," O'Mara said. "When somebody is in that frame of mind it can be contagious. There's a little bit of heroes' worship that goes on with these guys. I think it contributes to the overall driving safety. The people that show up really are the true professionals on the highway."

For Budlowski, who has over 1 million safe driving miles with Con-way, winning the annual competition serves as a sense of accomplishment for someone who began his career simply looking for a temporary job after graduating from Sacred Heart University with a degree in business administration.

"I liked what I was doing and the money was good," Budlowski said, which is why he stayed in the business. "I was just fascinated all the time by trucks. I just enjoy being around trucks."

His first year competing he won the Benjamin Mongillo Academic Achievement Award for rookie achieving the highest written test results. He had a perfect score.

In August, he will travel down to the finals in Pittsburgh with eight other Connecticut winners to face off with other victors throughout the nation.

"There's a tremendous camaraderie that goes on between Connecticut drivers," O'Mara said. "They do get together as a group and practice."